Website of the UK government

The PETS scheme

The scheme is designed to halt the spread of rabies and other diseases while still allowing pets to travel.

The UK has been free of rabies for many years, but in some other countries there is still a risk of the disease to mammals. All rabies-susceptible animals entering the UK are required to spend six months in quarantine, unless they arrive under and comply with all the conditions of PETS.

Countries participating in PETS include most parts of Europe and many non-European destinations. Check the current position, and the full procedure for preparing your pet, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

To be eligible, your cat, dog or ferret must:

• be fitted with a microchip
• be vaccinated against rabies
• wait 21 days from the date of their first rabies vaccination before travelling to another Eurpean Community country
• not have visited any non-approved countries or territories for at least six months before they enter or re-enter the UK 

Cats and dogs must also:

• be blood tested with a satisfactory result by a European Union approved laboratory
• wait six calendar months from the date the satisfactory blood sample was taken before re-entering the UK

You must also ensure that your pet:

• is issued with a pet passport by their vet
• is treated by a vet for tapeworm and ticks, not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before checking in with a PETS-approved carrier for the journey back to the UK
• travels into the UK on a PETS-approved sea, air or rail route

• Visit the Defra PETS website for full details of the scheme Opens new window
• Defra list of PETS-approved carriers and routes Opens new window
• European Community countries participating in PETS Opens new window
• Non-European Community countries participating in PETS Opens new window
• Information from Defra about rabies prevention Opens new window

Before you go

You must book your return journey into the UK with one of the many PETS-approved carriers, on a PETS-approved route. There is only a limited amount of space and it is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You must book in advance as your pet will not be allowed to travel without a prior booking.

Taking care of your pet when travelling

These tips can help make your pet's journey as comfortable as possible:

• make sure your pet is as fit and healthy as possible to withstand the journey
• give them a light meal about two hours before they travel
• give your pet the opportunity to go to the toilet before it is put in its carrying container
• let your pet 'try out' the carrying container before the trip
• the carrying container should be well-ventilated, roomy enough for the animal to move around, safe and have adequate food and water for the trip, with easily refillable containers for a long journey
• put a familiar-smelling cushion or rug in the container to help your pet settle

For more information about pet health, visit the Defra website.

• Defra advice on caring for your pet when travelling Opens new window

Returning to the UK

When returning to the UK, transport staff will check your pet passport to ensure the requirements of the scheme have been met. If there is missing paperwork or if your pet has not been prepared correctly it may be taken into UK quarantine or returned to the country from which it has just come.

Travelling with registered assistance dogs

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, in partnership with other UK assistance dog organisations, Defra and a number of UK airlines has produced a set of guidelines for registered assistance dog owners wishing to use the Pet Travel Scheme.

Pets entering the UK on airlines under the Pet Travel Scheme must normally be carried in the hold. However, there is an exemption within the scheme to allow guide dogs or other assistance dogs to travel in the cabin with their owner on certain approved routes.

The disabled people section also gives more information on assistance dogs.

• Approved PETS routes and carriers for assistance dogs Opens new window
• Taking registered assistance dogs abroad Opens new window
• Air travel if you are blind or visually impaired (disabled people section)
• Air travel if you are deaf or hearing impaired (disabled people section)
• Travel, holidays and breaks (disabled people section)